From Nanny To Wife (17 page)

Disgusted with himself for letting a woman get to him, Ryan jerked back the covers and got out of bed. He moved angrily around the bedroom, getting dressed and checking to make sure, he had everything he would need for his stay in Vegas. By the time he left the room, ten minutes later, he had his emotions in check and was ready to face the day. In the hallway, he paused long enough to lock the door to his office. The last thing he wanted was to come home in a few days to find Zoe had wrecked the room. A door opened a little farther down the hallway and Hope came out carrying a suitcase and a garment bag.

"Good morning," he said, ignoring the way his heart sped up at the sight of her.

"Good morning," Hope repeated.

"Did you take your pill?" Ryan asked. "I don't want you begging me to knock you out."

Hope glared at him. "Did you have to remind me of that? Yes, I took my pill. I need to get Zoe up."

"Let me take your things," Ryan said, reaching for Hope's suitcase and bag. "We leave in ten minutes."

"Zoe and I will be ready," Hope said. She started to walk away.

"Hope."

She turned slightly and looked at Ryan with an arched brow. "Yes?"

"Thank you," he said softly.

"For what?"

"For agreeing to marry me," Ryan answered.

Hope smiled at him. "You're a handsome, successful man with a beautiful little girl. I will never get a better offer. Now I had better-"

"Hope," Zoe croaked, walking out of her room rubbing an eye with her fist.

"Good morning, little one." Hope bent down and picked up Zoe.

Ryan leaned in close and kissed the child on the cheek. "Good morning, baby girl. I will see you both downstairs."

"All right," Hope said.

Ryan hurried downstairs where he deposited the luggage beside the door. He checked his watch and saw it was six-fifteen. In less than eight hours, he would be a married man.

After stopping off for a quick breakfast the group headed for the small airport. They arrived shortly before seven to discover Pam was all ready there with her date who turned out to be Harvey. The luggage was loaded onto the plane as everyone boarded. Ryan excused himself and went up front to speak with the pilot. He rejoined the group a few minutes later and took a seat facing Hope. She had her eyes closed and was gripping the armrests of her seat.

"What's wrong with Hope?" Harvey asked Ryan in a low voice.

"She's afraid of flying," Ryan muttered. "She will be fine."

"Maybe I should sit next to her and hold her hand," Harvey said.

"Maybe you should keep your damn hand to yourself," Ryan snarled.

"Touchy," Harvey said.

"What are you doing with Pam?" Ryan asked.

Harvey grinned. "Nothing yet."

"Don't-" Ryan halted as the plane began to move. "Don't break her heart, Finch."

"I don't plan to," Harvey said.

As the plane picked up speed, Hope grabbed William's hand. "Do you mind?" she whispered.

William gave her hand a squeeze. "Not at all. I'm not fond of flying myself."

"Then why did you come?" Hope asked.

"I came to support you and Mr. Kendall," William said.

"Thank you," Hope said. "It means a lot to me."

"You are welcome," William told her.

Hope turned her head and gazed out the window. When she saw they were leaving the ground she quickly shut the shade and squeezed William's hand.

"My, you have a strong grip," William said, grimacing.

"S - s - sorry," Hope stammered. She released his hand and grasped the armrest. Glancing Ryan's direction, she saw he was watching her.

"Take a deep breath," he said. "We're fine. Nothing bad is going to happen."

Hope took several deep breaths, her eyes on Ryan.

"You are doing good," William said, giving Hope's hand a pat.

Once the plane had leveled out seatbelts came off and everyone moved freely around the cabin. Ryan removed his seatbelt and stood. He moved across the aisle, unbuckled Zoe from her seat, and scooped her up into his arms. Carrying her to the small couch toward the back of the plane, he sat down with her on his lap. Zoe snuggled against him and he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Daddy needs to talk to you about something. Do you know where we're going?"

"Vegas," Zoe murmured.

"That's right," Ryan said. "We're going to Vegas. Daddy and Hope are getting married there. I know you don't know what that means and that's okay. Hope's going to be your new mommy."

"I will never take the place of your mommy," Hope said. She settled on the couch beside Ryan. "She will always be your mommy. You see, some times little girls and boys have two mommies. There's nothing wrong with that." She touched Zoe's arm. "You don't understand, do you?"

Zoe shook her head.

"That's because Daddy and me aren't explaining it right." Hope smiled. "The only thing you need to know is that we love you very much. Now give me a hug."

Zoe leaned toward Hope and wrapped her chubby little arms around her neck. "Zoe loves Hope."

"I love you, too."

"What about me?" Ryan said. "I'm feeling left out here."

Zoe kissed Ryan. "Zoe loves Daddy."

Ryan held her close. "I love you, baby girl."

Later that day, in the small dressing room in the back of the church, Hope stood in front of a mirror and eyed herself critically. Makeup had been applied with a light hand. The dress Pam had given to her accentuated her figure perfectly. She had chosen to wear her hair up and secured it in place with bobby pins: a sprig of babysbreath completed the hairdo. The only jewelry she wore was a pair of diamond teardrop earrings and a fine gold chain. Cream colored, the same shade as the dress, high heels were on her feet. Overall, she did not look bad. Butterflies in her stomach, Hope pressed a hand to her middle and turned away from the mirror. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," she called out.

The door opened. Maggie, Pam and Zoe entered the room.

"You look beautiful, dear," Maggie said. "Mr. Kendall is a lucky man."

Hope smiled weakly. "Thank you."

Pam held out a bouquet of pink roses with babysbreath. "Ryan wanted me to give these to you."

Hope took the roses with a trembling hand and lifted them to her nose.

"Flowers," Zoe said, holding up her basket of pink rose petals. She wore a pink dress with a white satin sash.

"They're beautiful," Hope caressed Zoe's hair. "And so are you, little one." She looked at Pam and then Maggie. "You all are. You will never know how much it means to me to have you here."

Pam blinked back tears. "Don't start crying. You'll ruin your makeup. I don't want to have to reapply it."

Maggie turned to Pam. "Would you mind taking Zoe and waiting in the hallway? I would like to speak to Hope alone. It won't take but a few minutes."

"Come along, Zoe," Pam said. "Let's go check on your daddy."

"Okay," Zoe said.

"Is something wrong?" Hope asked once she and Maggie were alone.

"Dear, are you sure you want to do this?" Maggie asked.

Hope stared at the roses. "Yes. I'm sure, Maggie."

"It is a noble thing you are doing," Maggie said, "but a marriage without love is not-"

"I love him," Hope confessed. "I don't know how or when it happened. I'm doing this for him and for Zoe. They need someone to love them and I need to love someone. I know it won't be easy, but tell me what marriage isn't without tough times. I need your blessing, Maggie. I can't make this work without you, William and Gordon in my corner."

"You have my blessing, dear," Maggie said. "Gordon, William and I will help you."

"Thank you," Hope whispered thickly.

There was a knock at the door again. Pam opened the door and stuck her head into the room. "It's time."

Chapter 1
9

Ryan stood at the front of the church, smiling as he watched Zoe walking up the center aisle throwing small fistfuls of rose petals on the floor. She was almost to him when she stopped suddenly and peered into the basket.

"Gone," she declared, waving the empty basket in the air. She bent down and started picking up the petals.

Pam who was walking behind Zoe knelt down and took the little girl by the arm. "You did good, sweetheart. Go to Maggie."

Glancing past Pam, Ryan's eyes came to rest on Hope as she slowly made her way toward him. She was the most beautiful bride he had ever laid eyes on. His heart knocking against his ribs he took a deep breath and offered her his arm. When she looped her arm through his, Ryan realized she was trembling. Whether it was from nerves or cold, he did not know.

"Are you all right?" he whispered in her ear.

"Yes," Hope muttered.

"Shall we begin?" Minister Reynolds inquired his green eyes going from Ryan to Hope.

"Yes, please," Ryan said.

Minister Reynolds opened his bible and cleared his throat. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. If any person can show just cause why these two should not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." After a brief silence, he turned to Ryan and began the vows. "Ryan, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?"

"I will," Ryan said.

Minister Reynolds faced Hope and smiled. "Hope, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"